Autumn Fern

Autumn fern is evergreen in tropical regions and root hardy over large areas of the United States (Zones 5-9). Consider adding this adaptable plant to a shady corner in your garden.

When a plant wins awards from all over the country and beyond, it deserves a closer look. Dryopteris erythrosora has garnered such awards as Florida Plant of the Year, Florida Plant of the Decade, one of Top Ten Perennials by the Georgia Perennial Plant Association, Georgia Gold Metal Winner, Great Plant Picks for the Maritime Pacific Northwest, and Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.

Award-winning Dryopteris erythrosorais an herbaceous perennial fern noted for the coppery-red and green triangular bi-pinnate fronds. Although the fronds turn solid green as summer progresses, a steady supply of new fronds renders the plants a visual tapestry of dark green interwoven with pink to bronzy tones. At maturity, the fronds arch from the center of the clump to form a graceful vase shape. Autumn fern is evergreen in frost-free areas and is semi-evergreen to deciduous in other areas depending on the severity of winter temperatures.

Culture

For best growth, give autumn fern a rich, highly organic, moist but well drained, acid soil. While autumn fern is becoming established, keep it evenly moist. After it is well established, it becomes more drought tolerant and performs satisfactorily in the dry shade beneath large trees. The foliage changes color when it becomes water-stressed, signaling to the observant gardener that it needs a drink. Like most ferns, autumn fern does best in full to partial shade.

Plant about 18 inches apart for complete ground coverage. Keep your autumn fern growing at a steady pace by applying a balanced fertilizer at the rate of one pound per 100 square feet in spring before new growth begins. Keep it well watered until it is thoroughly established, and then back off. Remove dead fronds each spring to keep the planting looking neat. Pests and diseases rarely bother autumn fern.

Clumps of autumn fern increase in diameter very slowly since the rhizomes are short. Propagation is easily accomplished by division of mature clumps.

Kinds

The cultivar ‘Brilliance' has more brilliant reddish to coppery coloring than the species and holds much of its coloration when it becomes mature.The variety called Dryopteris erythrosora var. purpurascens (syn. Dryopteris purpurella) has fronds that reach three feet tall or more, so it is significantly larger. Bright cinnamon-red fronds emerge in spring and early summer. Dryopteris erythrosora var. prolificais a form with very narrow leaf parts (pinnules). It produces bulblets on the edges of the pinnules and has a rather floppy growing habit.

Landscape UsesAutumn fern is most at home in shaded woodland gardens where it is allowed to make a solid mass, but it also holds its own in selected areas as an accent plant. Frequently it is used as a backdrop for flowering shade plants. Sometimes it is chosen as a foundation plant in a shady spot, and it is equally effective grown in a container on a shaded patio.

Thename

The scientific name of this fern describes its preferred growing site as well as one of its physical characteristics. Dryopteris is from the Greek words drys (tree) and pteris (fern), referring to its preferred spot under the shade of a tree. Erythrosora is from the Greek words erythros (red) and sora (sori) in reference to its red sori.

About Marie Harrison

About Marie Harrison

Serving as a Master Flower Show Judge, a Floral Design Instructor, instructor of horticulture for National Garden Clubs, and a University of Florida Master Gardener immerses me in gardening/teaching activities. In addition to these activities, I contribute regularly to Florida Gardening magazine and other publications. I am author of four gardening books, all published by Pineapple Press, Sarasota, Florida. Read about them and visit me at www.mariesgardenanddesign.com.